Archive for the ‘Ford Interceptor’ Category

Ford has released the Police Interceptor Utility, considered by the Michigan State Police as the fastest police car available for 2019. The new Interceptor is based on the yet-to-be-unveiled Explorer SUV. It replaces the outgoing Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility model and the Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan. The new Police Interceptor Utility is more than just a fast law enforcement vehicle; it’s also loaded with state-of-the-art technology the likes of which the production version of the new Explorer won’t have. That comes with the territory of being a cop car.

We all have drooled over Lamborghinis, Bugattis, and other exotic cars in uniform. The loud grunts from powerful combustion engines when throttled, and the silencers roaring their lungs out in a high-speed drama; but have you thought of a Hybrid police car doing those extreme pursuits? Well, Ford recently revealed the all-new Police Interceptor Utility, which is the first pursuit-rated Hybrid SUV ever. It aims to offer improved performance and lower fuel costs thanks to its hybrid setup.

The new light bar mounts inside the vehicle, just above the rearview mirror on the front windshield. It’s incorporated into the headliner for a seamless look. Its thin profile keeps the windshield clear, unlike most aftermarket windshield light bars. When turned on, the light bar flashes in an alternating pattern. It can also be programmed to flash in a red/red or blue/ blue pattern.

What’s more, the light bar features a bight white mode for “take down” and “scene” operations. In other words, it basically acts like an aftermarket LED light bar to throw extra light forward. The white light can be adjusted from full intensity down to 20 percent, along with an auto-dimming function, as well.

The light bar, technically called the interior visor light, is available on the 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility as a factory option.

Ford is upping its game for its Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle. It recently announced the additional option of ballistic panels rated against armor-piercing rifle ammunition. These panels, designated Type IV protection by the U.S. Department of Justice, are above Ford’s already available Type III ballistic panels offered in both Police Interceptor vehicles.

This new level of protection shields officers from .30 caliber armor piercing bullets with a mass of 10.8 grams and a velocity of roughly 2,880 feet per second, commonly available for the Remington 700 hunting rifle and AK-47. While these rounds aren’t common on the streets, rising threat levels have agencies requesting better protection.

“The fact that we design our Police Interceptors around officer feedback is what has made them number one. Officers globally told us they needed protection from armor piercing ammunition and we added increased ballistic protection to an already great product – that’s continuous innovation,” said Arie Groeneveld, chief engineer, Ford Police Interceptors.

While that may be a heavily biased option from a Ford engineer, it’s unquestionable that Ford is taking major steps to keep law enforcement officers safe. Ford is the only automaker offering ballistics protection as a factory option on police vehicles.

Ford’s Type III ballistics panels are rated against all handgun and non-armor piercing rounds up to .30 caliber in size – most notably, the 7.62mm x 51mm NATO M80 ball ammunition most widely used in the AK-47. The panels also protect against “special threat” rounds identified by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Ford’s marketing hype aside, options like this are likely playing a huge role in making the police versions of the Taurus and Explorer so popular with departments. However, Ford better enjoy the unrivaled success while it lasts. Chevrolet and Dodge are surely developing their own measures to compete.